Self-starter



F. B. STOCKDALE AND H. A. SIMPSON.

SELF STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20| I9I8.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

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QP wm ,7 :N -IImmIIIIIIII m F. B. STOCKDALE AND H. A. SIMPSON.

SELF STARTER.

M PLICATION FILED AUG-20| 19l8.

Patented Aug. 2

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gnuenrow Hmm F. B. STOCKDAL AND H. A. SIMPSON.

SELF STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED A'uG.20. I9I8.

1,386, 1 39 Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

V 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

f/ /4- f/ 'f2 fd' 710 y /a/ f/fl F. B. STOCKDALE AND H. A. SIMPSON.

SELF STARTER. APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, |918.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

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F. B. STOCKDALE AND H. A. SIMPSON.

SELF STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED Aua.2'o, 191s;

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

5mm e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FAIRBANK BARNES STOCKDALE, OF BRGOKLYN, NEVI' YORK, AND HOBART ARTHUR SIMPSON, F OCEAN GROVE, NEW JERSEY.

SELF-STARTER.

Application filed August 20, 1918.

L it

Be it known .Sr-nonnina end citizens or' the lmay concern:

that We, FAIRBANK BARNES lfloniinr ARTHUR emerson, United States. residing et lroolil ev: York, and @eeen Grove,

n en' .lere y, respectively, lieve invented eerflnin nev,Y und usei'ni improvements in Seliiriers. oi ivliicli the following is e clear,

, and erect description.

l0 iliis invention rel-etes to power-storing the springtype, and particux. to `ieiver-storing' rneclienisni of the e slop-ted to oe employed as storting uns infernal combustion engines. in oligect o* 'the invention is to provide rfei-storing Inecnenisin oi tlie sgring type which. ivlien essociered ivitli e suitable :enr-co oi" Qoiver, suoli es en internal conisien meter. es e stai-Line ineens for said w ha will ne automatically maintained 1n on Yfor use wtlion't ettetion from the fr. and vill be immediately and outolie starting operation.

invention 'nerein slioivn is en iint on those slioivn in our Patent defied July Q9, 1919, oi which the nplieetion is e continuation as to `preser.

ennnn'n s'oojecr niatter.

n importent -feature oi the invention is tl/f inovision in power-storing rne'clienisln f lie spring tlpe in which ineens controlled sli-ane or the spring automatically ioning ogerorion ivlien o prension lies been reached, :ind e iensioning` operation when loe i Sils lielov: the predetermined maximum. or ineens preventing the oper-c.- fion or suoli automatic ineens ivlien the Speciceton of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 250,721.

another importent feature oi' the invention resides in the nesting' of the several parts so that colnpeetness is secured.

.r'inotlier importent 'feature oil the invention resides in the tapering forni oi' the power spring whereby erenness or action is secured.

Another inportant 'feature is the provision oi 'thrust bearing in cooperation with 'the power storing and power delivering clutches. such that there is no binding between the ports ivliicli are required to rotate relatively to one another.

i notlier importent 'feature relates to the forni of reduction gearing used between the inotor end the power spring` windingv Ineens.

@ther importent features and objects oi' the invention will appear from the iolloiviro` description end cle-.inis when considered ie accompanying drewin connection Wit-li r ings, in Which- Fignre l is e longitudinal sectional View of the power storing` and motor storting ineens of the present invention;

Fig. f2 e view in ivliicli the casing is sliovvn in section but the interior ports are sliovvn in full. In this view soine of the parts appearing in Fig. l ere necessarily covered;

3 is e. side elevation of a portion or". vlie right-henri end of die device and showno' tlie clutches7 which deliver power" 'ironi he storting spring to the motor, in normal `position;

1;'. el shows the seine ports as il 3, but

to stort the inotor;

5 shows tlie seine paris While the spring is 1ecing revfound by the ino- G is en elevation oi the reivinding` eener/allers lookingin the direction or' the on', Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is e view, para in section end part in oler-alien, of die rear portion oi the device end sliowingl the position of the ports concerned in tlie re'vin-:ling` oi the power spring. 'tliese ports having the positions slioivn vrlien the starting clutch slioivn in il elis engaged to stert the inotor but with the parts set for preventing revinding; of the poiver sprino;

8 is i view oi" the seine parts inoved to cause closing of the reivinding clutch shown closed in Fig. 5. Rewinding of the power spring takes place with the parts in the Fig. 8 positions;

Fig. 9 shows some oi' the same parts as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, after the power spring has been rewound;

Fig. 16 is a rear elevation, and partV sectional view of the holding ratchet and its pawls, the view being taken on about the line .ile-3, Fig. 1;

F ig. 11 is a part elevation and part sectional view ot the right-hand portion of the device as shown in Fig. 1, but showing the application ci" our improved reduction gearf ing thereto;

F 12 is an end elevation of said gearing;

Fig. is an enlarged view showing the shape ot the teeth on the clutch members and and the clutch members 44 and 90;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the thrust bearing shown at the right central portion of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view oit the teeth ot the clutch members 50 and 56.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of a portion ot the structure shown in Fig. 1 and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 17 is a. similar view but with the parts in operated positions; and Y Fig. 18 a :trent elevational view of the levers 158, the shafts 14 and 80 being shown in cross section.

The illustrated mechanism comprises a cy lindrical casing 2 in which are fixed bearings and 6 tor the sprii'ig-tensicning and powerdelivering1 mechanisms, the spring 8 in which the poweris stored being located between these bearings and having its respective ends connected to circumterentially grooved spring coil holders 10 and 12. The coil holder 10 is lreyed upon a shaft 14 supported in ball bearings 16 in the bearing member 6, and the coil holder 12 is carried upon a sleeve 18,l splined upon a second sleeve l9, upon the shaitt 14, said sleeve 18 being; surrounded by a bearing cone 20 traveling upon ball bearings 22 in the bearing member 4. The coil holder 12 is clamped to the sleeve18 and cone 20 by a set nut 24 threaded uponthe sleeve 18, said nut serving to force the hub of the coil holder 12 against the cone 20 and in turn to force the cone 2O against the flange 26 upon the sleeve 18. The cone 20, sleeve 18 and sleeve 19 tow gether provide a second bearing support for the shaft 14 in the bearing member 4.

At the right-hand end ot the casing 2 in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, is shown a support 28 for any suitable power-transmitting means by which the stored power ot the .spring may be transmitted to the motor and by which the power ot the motor may be utilized to tension the spring, the illustrated :leans comprising a sprocket wheel 30 which is connected by the usual sprocket chain to the motor crank shaft. The support 28, which has the sprocket-carrying hub 36, lits within the rght-hand end of the casing and has a rearwardly extending hub 38, Fig. 1, carried upon bearings 4() upon the shaft 14, these bea-rings being coniined between set nuts 42 upon the right-hand end of the shaft 14 and a clutch member 44 carried by the hub 88. The hub 38 may also carry a spring plate 46 by which telt or other suitable washers 48 are pressed against the inner face of the support 28 at its outer edge, in order to seal the casing 2 against dust and to prevent the loss of the lubricant by which the parts within the casing are lubricated.

rlhe clutch member 44, by means to be presently described, serves to transmit the power from the sprocket wheel 30, when said sprocket is being turned under power ot the motor.

In addition to the clutch member 44, the hub 38 of the support 28, also carries a clutch member 50, which is concentric withA and projects beyond the clutch member 44, each of these clutch members being made in the form of crown wheels having ratchet teeth. For reasons which will be explained hereinafter, the shape of the teeth ot the clutch member 50 diiiers somewhat from those ot the member 44. Coperating with the clutch member 50 is a second toothed clutch member 52, which is pinned upon the sleeve 19, the sleeve 19 having a flange 54 against which the web of the clutch member 52 abuis. rlhe clutch member 52 has ratchet teeth 56, shaped to mesh with the ratchet teeth 58, of the clutch member 50, and also has upon the other edge of its rim ratchet teeth 60, adapted to mesh with corresponding ratchet teeth 62, upon a locking plate 64 attached to the bearing support 4.

The clutch member 52 is normally held in such position that the teeth 60 engage the teeth 62 of the locking plate 64v` by means ot a spring 66 surrounding the sleeve 19 and bearing at one end against the sleeve 18 and at its other end against a collar 68 threaded upon the sleeve 19. The space between the teeth 58 of the clutch member 50 and the teeth 62 of the locking plate 64 is not suicficient to permit the complete disengagement ot the clutch member 52 from the locking plate 64 before it engages the clutch membei` 50 or vice versa.

The means tor effecting the movement of,

llO

8O movable Within the shaft lll. At its outer end the rod S9 is threaded :ind carries n member S2, engaged by :i loch nut Se.

lever S6 pii'oed at 8S to some stationary port. beurs :it its lower end iigiiinst the member 82. Seid lei'er S6 is suitably connected to be conveniently ope ated from the dash bonrd ot the motor Vehicle, either by hund or by ii toot lever, but preferably by the letter ind when rocked in the direction or' the :irre in lig. l, moves the sleeve 19 upon the shtitt il, :ig-Ainsithe tension ot 'the spring` G6 und thereby carries the clutch member 52 into engagement with the clutch member l). llliien the motor starts it gives a kick to the clutch member 5l), which acts to cam the clutch member' 52 to the leiht, to bring its l LA.

teeth {El} into enfagenient With the locking` teeth G2. it will be noted that the member ing zit this time and if the teeth n. nited. 'their enigls would i J' cl-irh eL using` sfripping' of the teeth. .To prevent this the teeth GO und G2 made i'liit on their ends shown in 13. g3 @n the other hand, the teeth and 5S are mede noined because 'v'hei lie parts ere :it

tl muy not be i normel ie nieinbels 5i) sind o* in perfect mesh i e i iiire`etion and `ii'hen is moved toward 5'!) it muy have to com said.

e. distance of ii L)ortion of ii tooth feet meshing' taies phi e. The

pointed teeth permit engin; ment ot' the iro inembe 50 rind 5:? in any position vwhich the:v n clztiiely to another.

ln hrt he men bei' i" to be easily turned by the menil er 52 slidinginto engagement therewith, the teeth o'l one ot these members are shaped iis shown in l.

'rhereir the tingle :termed :it the point oi the teeth ol" one set is different from th*L t ol the teeth 1? the other set.

Loi'pernting With the clutch inem er :i second clutch member 90 oi snnihir conn, each these clutch members hn inte-net teeth similar to ti member 90 b nuggizr iin short 13e-into und out o member ll. cl itch member 9 i l iciilly in ic- 'oi ot the s 3 the clutch rieinbe O being` so connected t the shaft lli tiet it turns sarl sliiit to tonl c 1 r in the sion the end sprocket a a nutonisit nine@L le tcnsio i` i i d teiisionine` C`in connect s spring tension Jrolls below ii predeterminc noint. Th s mechanism is pring coil and comprises spring is tensioned to the desired iii'nounl'.

iieiins :1re provided which tend to innintiiin the two-part cylinder in its open condition,

the illustrated mefins comprisingit piiir o' i'eWinding;` contre leis 94:, mounted for sliding' movement in `guides 96, carried by, or iormed on `the coil holder 10. Mounted fior adjustment in :i r: dial slot in erich controller e linger 98. These lingers are held in iidjurted position, euch by ii set screwv 100, und e iiiilepted to be engaged by the Walls or" the 'Wo-part cylinder so :is to slioe the control* towiiid Lhe center ol the shift 14C is the spring- S is beingr retensioned. rlhe adjustment oi the fingers provides ineens for de- .g how much the spring shall unwind iermininf lieor it sets on 'the c ntrollers to brine1 mechanism into play tor rewinding itself, such rei'i'indinggbeing` brought about when the clutch member engnges the clutch member lei. tliereey permitting,- power to be transmitted to the shaft (the clutch mem- 9i) l eingseeured to shziit le but sli-dnble thereon) :ind thence to the coil holder il).

f o throw :he two-part cylinder 92 to its opei position. springs 91 nre provided, such sp D l shoulders oi the 9ethe member 10d is slotted iis shown in li The controllers ere l, i", 8 and 9. the iront edees but at the rear :ire

t e il e more seid nionib r to the lell when the twoi iI` l' i n oved by the tensioning' oi l s t position oi Fig. 9. spiinglill' sented iileyiins'iA n screw i112, in the i: t l :s to more the tubular meint 'lit and therefore to close he clutch 99.

lilith the spring S,

, N. .iully Lensioned, as in 9, i... it is desired to deliver the power f 1 or D into engagement With the clutch member 5() by t ie manually ope ated means hereinabove described, such movement cui lying; the teeth GO out oi' engagement with the 'teeth 62 ol the looking plate (Se, thereby perm'u ,lng the spring to turn the sprocket wheel 30 und Whatever is connected With seid sprocket Wheel. Ein soon iis the spring begins to deliver its power, its tension of the sprintf, the clutch member 52 may be course becomes less, and were it not uFor the important feature ot the invention now to be described, as soon as the tension of the spring should tall below a predetermined amount, the parts would assume the posi.-

`tion shown in Fig. 8 because just as soon as spring 8 begins to lose tension it becomes larger, thereby permitting the two-part cylinder to expand under the action ot the springs 91 to the position ot Fig. 1 and the spring 110 would at once act to move the tubular member 104 to the right, Fig. 8, and cause the clutch 90 to close.

To prevent the closing of the clutch 90 when the spring 8 is delivering` power and until the motor has starter, the novel means now to bc described, are provided. 1 have shown two forms of these means and will first describe that toi-m illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Mounted tor movement toward and from the center ol' the shalt 14 is a latch member 114 which is held seated in a recess in the shaft by spring` 116. The latch member passes through a slot 117 in the tubular member 104, and a shoulder 118 on the latch member normally bears against the rear wall oithe slot, thus holding the tubular member against movement to the right under action ot the spring 110 even though the controllers 108 have been spread apart as shown in Fig. 7. The spring 8 delivers its power as long as the clutch members 50 and 52 are closed, and these, it will be remember-ed, are moved to closed position by the manual. movement oit' the lever 86 acting through the rod 80 and sleeve 19. ln the form-ot device shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the rod 8O is conical at its end 122 and when said rod 8O is moved to the left on opening of the clutch members 5G and 52, the surface 122 engages the latch member 114 and moves it from the position or Fig. 7 to the position of F ig. 8. Spring 110 immediately acts to throw rightwardly the tubular member 104, thereby closing the clutch members 9G and 44 so that power from the engine, delivered to the sprocket wheel 30 will be transmitted through the sha-tt 14 to the coil holder 10 and wind up springY 8. lis soon as this becomes fully wound, it closes the controllers 94 and, they in turn pull the tubular member 104 back to the position ot Fig. 9, the latch 114 at this time occupying` the position shown in Fig. 8. 1t remains in this position until the lever 86 is again moved to throw in the clutch members 50 and 52, when it is released from the cam 122 and nieves up to the position or Fig. T to prevent any move- Vment of the tubular member 104, to the right to close the clutthes 44 and 90. 1n this form ot the device the spring 66 is not strong enough to open the clutches 44 and 90 should the lever 86 be released without the motor starting, the starting ot the motor being relied upon to give a kick to the clutch member 50 to separate the clutch member 52 therefrom by the camming action ot' its teeth.

In the preferred form of the device, which is that form shown in Figs. 1, 16, 17 and 18, we have shown positively acting means under the control of the lever 86, for preventing the clutchesV 44 and 90 from being in engagement when the clutch members 50 and 52 are in engagement. To accomplish this, we pivot two levers 158, at 160, in the side walls oi slots out into the shaft 14. rllhese levers are mounted in such relation to the clutch member 90, that when moved from the position shown in Fig. 16, to that of 17, the clutch member 90 is held in its normal position during the time the spring 8 is delivering power. To move the levers 158, a disk 162 is made tast to the rod 80 so that the levers are under positive control ot' said rod. The levers 158 cross each other at their ends and are so shaped as to provide a passageway for the rod 80, as

'shown in Fig. 18. The form ot device above described is useful in case the motor does not start upon the closing of the clutches 50 and 52 due to any cause, such for instance, as the operator forgetting to have the Y ignition circuit turned on. 1n such an event. it the clutches 50 and 52 could not be disconnected, the spring 8 would continue to unwind. But with this mechanism under positive control or the lever 86, just as soon as said lever is released the rod 80 moves to the left under action of spring 66, which is made strong enough in this form of device, to open the clutches 50 and 52, even though the mo tor does not start. Thus with the clutches 50 and 52 separated, the spring` 8 no longer delivers power, and if it has unwound sut. iciently to permit the controllers 94 to move apart, allowing the spring` 110 to act, the clutch member 90 will be thereby brought into engagement with the clutch member 44. lThis, however, will do no harm because just as soon as the lever 86 is again operated, the clutch members 44 and 90 will be positively separated by the action of the levers 158.

1t will be noted that in the operation ot the automatic mechanism for disconnecting1 the clutch member 90 from the clutch member 44, when the spring is approaching its predetermined tension, the resistance to the separating movement of the clutch members, due to the pressure of the tensioned spring 8, will cause a slight accumulation of power just beit'ore the separation takes place, thus moving` them into such osition, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, t iat when the separa tion does take place that there will be no danger of the accidental engagement of the teeth while the clutch member 44 is being driven by the motor.

In order to provide for as long a spring 8 as possible and at the same time avoid increasing the length of the whole device beyond `convenient limits, the bearing 4 is nested within the coil holder 12, as shown in Fig. 1, and the bearings 2,0, clutch members 50, 52, 44 and 90 are nested within the bearing 4.

In order to take the thrust .of Ythe sleeves 18 and 19, a thrust bearing is provided and this bearing is constructed in a particular manner so as to lvpermit ease of rotation of the hub 38 and independent rotation .of the shaft 14 when the .clutch members 44 and 90 are in engagement. This bear-ing differs from .those .of the usual type in that there is proiided a `flanged ydisk member 128 which bears against the outer race member of the bearing 40, as shown in Fig. 14, instead of the inner race member. lVhen the .bearing is adjusted, pressure, caused by `the tightening of the set nu-ts42, is transmitted throughthe balls of Athe bearing .to the langed disk 128 and thence .to the outside 4race member of the bearing 40. rlhe portions 132 of the flanged disk 128 do not touch the inner race member of the bearing 40. lVhen the hub 38 .rotates under the driving action of `the moto-r it .carries with it the .outer race which rotates on lthe balls 41. At .this time the clutch members 44 and `90 are in engagement so that ,the shatt 14 is ,also being r0- tated .together with the lock nitts 42 and bearing ,piece 134, The pressure .of the bearing piece 134 against the balls 136 is transmitted .throngh .the bearing vdisk 138 to the member 128 and ,thence to the outer race member of `the bearing 40 as already set forth and 1there is therefore, no binding ot' either or' the balls 41 `or .balls 136 in their bearings. It. however, the bearing ring 138 transmitted the pressure of the balls 136 to the innerrace .of the hearing 40 there would be a binding ,because ,the inner race moves relatively to the bearing disk 138 and in adjustment of the :bearing would yact to clamp said disk 138 against the inner race of the bearing 40.

ln 1Eig. 1, the sprocket 30 is directly connected to the member 38 Ato which is connected Ythe .clutch member 44. lith this construction the power of the spring is directly applied .to start the motor .and also the full load of ,the spring 8 is Ythrown upon the engine during rewinding. While this arrangement gives, Asatisfaction in practice, it may be, nevertheless, desirable in some cases rto relieve lthe motor of the entire force of'fthe spring 8 .as the motor starts and to ,accomplish this, we have provided reduction gearings between sprocket 30 and the hub 38, said reduction gearing v,being shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Referring to Fig. 11, `the sprocket 30 is keyed `to a stub-shaft 140 supported by ballbearings kcarried by the member 38 and by the supporting member 142. Formed integral with or rigidly connected to the stubshaft 140 `is a .central pinion 144. Also rigid with the stub-shaft 140 is a ratchet 146 engaged by three pawls, 148, three pawls being used to provide a balanced structure. rlhe direction vof movement ot the sprocket 30 and hence the stub-shatt 140, is clockwise and, therefore, the teeth of the ratchet 146 are in a direction to permit clockwise movement of the ratchet, but the pawls 148 prevent anti-clockwise movement ot said ratchet. It will be recalled .that when the spring 8 is delivering its power, the hub 38 is rotated in a .clockwise direction. Since the pawls 148 are carried directly by the hub 38, said pawls will act to drive the ratchet 146 land hence the stub-shaft 140 and sprocket wheel keyed thereto, all in a clockwise direction, thereby vdelivering power to start the motor. When, however, the motor has started and power is being delivered by the motor to the sprocket 30 andthe connection from the spring 8 .to the hub 38 is broken, the ratchet 146 slips under the pawls 148. The hub 38 at this time, however, is being Adriven in a clockwise direction and retensioning of the spring 8 is accomplished by an indirect connection .to the hub 38 from the 4central `rgear 144. Meshing with the central gear 144 are three gears 150 and meshing with each of .the gears 1 5() is a gear 152. Gears 152 mesh with internal teeth 154 earried by ,the hub 38. Gears 152 mesh with gears 1.50, Abut do not mesh with the central gear 144. The `gears 150 and the gears 152 100 are ksupported by ,the stud-shafts 151 ,car-

ried by themembcr 142. lVhen therefore.

the shatt 140 ,and gear 144 is rotated clockwise, Fig. 12, clockwise motion will also be tit-i transmitted to the hirb 38 through gears 150 105 and 152, .the number of ,teeth on gears being such as to transmit the movement of the gear 144 Eto .the hub 38 in a reduced ratio.

Vhen the spring 8 is in an .untensioned condition ,and is wound by rotation Vor the coil holder 10 the coils to ,the extreme right are rst reduced in 4size dueto the winding of the spring.` These right-hand coils, it

will .be noted, include within them the sleeved portion Aot vthe coil holder 12.. To

prevent lany `binding action of the spring as it is being wound, it is Yso shaped that there is a slight taper Ifrom the right-hand toward the left-hand end, the right-hand end Lin normal -untensioned condition being slightly larger than the left-hand end. This Ttaper is Yso proportioned relative to the size of the spring, the number of coils and the degree to which ,the spring is to be tensioned, that when the spring isf in its tensioned condition the sides thereof, are substantially parallel..

The coil ,holder 10 has secured to it the ratchet 124', .engaged by three pawls 126,

Fig. 10, to hold the spring while being wun d. 1 3 0 To prevent the pins 98 from being displaced, longitudinal guides 156 are provided and are secured to the inside of the twopart cylinder.

It will be noted that, in the illustrated structure, all connections and all means for storing power and for delivering power are arranged in radial symmetry about the aXis of the spring, whereby all forces in the structure are balanced and there is no tendency to binding or lateral distortion with the attendant loss of power and the resultant reduction both of the efficiency and of the life of the structure. By the improved construction of the present invention, a very efficient self-starting means, for use in automobiles, has been provided, this means being so compact that it can readily be installed in automobiles of ordinary design, without modification of the structure of the machine, and yet being so powerful that it will turn the crank shaft of the engine a sufficient number of times to effect starting under ordinary conditions. Infact, this invention, as actually embodied in structures of commercial design, has a sufficient reserve of stored power so that it will effect the starting of the automobile motor even in cold weather and under other particularly difficult conditions.

-What we claim as new is l. In a power storing mechanism, in combination, a. rotatable member, a power storing spring, automatically releasable winding means at one end of said spring operable from said rotatable member, manually controlled means for causing the other end of said wound up spring to deliver its torque to said rotatable member comprising a member carried by said other end of the spring, a member operatively connected with the rotatable member, and means for moving one of said members into and out of engagement with the other.

2. In a power storing mechanism, in combination, a rotatable member, a power storing spring. winding means at one end of said spring operable from nsaid rotatable member and acting automatically to maintain said spring in wound up condition, manually controlled means for causing the other end of said wound up spring to deliver its torque to said rotatable member, comprising a member carried by said other end of the spring, a member operatively connected with the rotatable member, and means for moving one of said members into and out of engagement with the other.

3. In a power storing mechanism, in combination, a rotatable member, a shaft in operative relation to said member and having mounted thereon a power storing spring, winding means for said spring operable from said rotatable member and acting automatically to maintain said spring in wound up condition, and manually controlled means for causing said wound up spring to deliver its torque to said rotatable member comprising a driving member connected with said spring, a stationary holding member and a drivable member connected with said rotatable member, said driving and drivable members mounted on said shaft.

4t. In a power storing mechanism, in combination, a rotatable member, a power storing spring, winding means at one end of said spring operable from said rotatable member, means for causing the other end of said wound up spring to deliver its torque to said rotatable member comprising a driving member connected with said spring, a stationary holding member normally in engagement with said driving member, a drivable member connected with said rotatable member, and manually operated means for engaging said driving and drivable members and disengaging said driving and hold- ,ing members. y Y

5. In a power storing mechanism, a shaft, a power storing spring surrounding said shaft, a casing surrounding said shaft and spring, a winding gear member rotatably mounted on said casing and said shaft, a clutch for connecting said winding gear member and said spring, means for controlling said clutch, the operation of said means depending upon the degree of compression of said spring, a driving member connected with said spring, locking means for normally preventing the rotation of said driving member, a drivable member rotatably mounted on said casing and shaft, and means for engaging said driving and drivable members and disengaging said locking means.

6. In a power storing mechanism, a casing, rotatable members mounted on opposite ends of said casing, a spring in said casing, automatic means in said casing for connecting one end of said spring to one of said rotatable members for winding` said spring, and manually controlled means for connecting the other end of4 said spring with the other rotatable member for driving the same.

7. In a power storing mechanism, a spring to be tensioned, means for tensioning said spring, means tending constanialy to maintain an operative connection between said tensioning means and said spring and held against said tendency by the changed shape of the spring when the springhas reached a predetermined tension, and other means rendered operative when said spring is actuated to deliver power for preventing the connection of said tensioning means to said spring while said spring is delivering power.

8. In apparatus of the class describechthe combination with a spring to be tensione-rl. of power transmitting meaiils through which iio said spring' power may be utilized and throug'h which said spring' may be tensioned, ot' means arranged in radial symmetry about the axis ot said spring 'tor connecting' said power transmitting' means to said spring' :tor the respective purposes, said means comprising means tending at all times to restore or to maintain said tensioning connection and held against said tendency by the changed shape ot the spring' when the spring has reached a predetermined tension, and other means torprerenting the restoration of said tensioning connection when said spring' is connected to said power-titansmitting' means to deliver its power' thereto.

9. ln apparatus of the class described, a spring' to be tensioned, means Jfor tensioningsaid spring, means extending' within said spring, arranged to operate equally upon opposite sides ot the axis thereof and controlled by the change in the inside shape ot the spring' under different deg-rees of tension toi' automatically connecting' said tensioning' means to said spring and disconnectinoV it therefrom when the spring' tension respectively falls below or reaches a predetermined point, mechanism 4by which the stored power ot said spring may be utilized, actuating' means'for said mechanism, and means brought into operation by the actuation ot said mechanism tor preventing said aforementioned connection when the spring' is dolifering' power.

l0. ln apparatus ot the class described, the combination with a helical spring to be tensioned, power-transmitting means adapted to be connected to one end ot said spring to tension said spring' and to the other end ot said spring to receive the stored power therefrom, manually controlled means for effecting' the power delivering connection, automatic means extending within the springhelix and controlled by the change in dimensions ot said helix for effecting the spring' tensioning connection, and means associated with said manually controlled means for rendering' said `automatic means inoperative when the spring is delivering' power, each ot said means beingarranged .to operate symmetrically with respect to the axis of said spring'.

ll. ln apparatus of the class described. a spring' to be tensioned, vpower-transmitting' means normally disconnected lrom said spring' but adapted to be connected to said spring to tension it and also adapted to be connected to said spring to receive the stored power therefrom, automatic means controlled by the tall of the spring' tension below a predetermined point for effecting' the first mentioned connection, manually controlled means for effecting the second mentioned connection and comprising' a member movable from spring' locking' position into s'n'ing' connectinO' relation to said )owerl e to v transmitting means, and means rendered operative by ythe actuation ot said manually controlled means 'tor preventing' said automatic connection when the spring` is delivering' power.

l2. in apparatus ot the class described, a helical spring' to be tensioned, power-transmitting means normally disconnected from said spring but adapted to be connected to one end oi" said spring' to tension said spring and adapted to be connected to the other end oit said sprinf' to receive power theretrom, means comprising mechanism operating` within said spring' symmetrically with spect to the axis thereof and controlled by the change in shape of the spring' tor automatically effecting' said first mentioned connection when the spring' tension 'l'alls below a predetermined point, and manually controlled means also operating' symmetrically with respect to the axis ot said spring tor eifecting' the second mentioned connection, said last mentioned means comprising' means Antending' within said spring Vtor rendering said automatic means inoperatiif'e.

13. in apparatus ot the class described, a helical spring' to be tensioned, a clutch member connected to one end ot said spring and movable between a spring` lorialiing' position and a power-transmitting position, stationary and mo'fable clutch members respectively cooperating' with said iirst mentioned clutch member tor effecting the locking ot thc spring' and the transmissirm ot its power and between which said first mentioned clutch member is movable, a second clutch member concentric with said Erst-mentioned clutch member and having a connection to the other end ot said spring', 'and a cooperating` clutch member connected to said il'iower-transmitting clutch member, said clutch members connected `to the respective spring' ends being independe tly movable into clutching relation tothe cooperating vclutch members.

lei-, In apparatus ot' the class described, the combination with a helical spring' to be tensionerhot power-tranemitting means comprising' concentric clutch members` other clutch inen'ibers coiiperatingj with the respectire concentric clutch members and one ot which is connected to one end ot said spring' and the other' of which is connected to the other end ot' said spring', means tor indel'iendently efftecting relative movement oilv the cooperating clutch members into clutching' relation, and locking' means tor holding' the respective spring ends tensioned when neither' ot said pairs ot cooperating clutch members is in clutching engagement.

l5. ln apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a helical spring' to be tensioned, power-transmitting means located at one end ot said springand comprising' con; entric ronnected clutch nicmbers,1n

dependent clutch members cooperating with said concentric clutch members and one et which is connected to the adjacent end of said spring and the other of which is connected to the remote end, said last mentioned connection comprising a shaft extending through said spring, a ratchet locl at each end of said spring, a connection between one ot said ratchet locks and one of said clutch members, whereby movement ot said clutch member into clutching position re leases said lock and permits the delivery of the stored power ot the spring, a sliding key connection between the other clutch and the other lock, permitting movement of said clutch member into clutching position to tension said spring and the locking of said spring in tensioned position, and means for automatically eecting the last mentioned clutching operation when the spring tension ialls below a predetermined point.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a helical spring for storing power, of power-transmitting means located at one end of said spring, means movable along the aXis of said spring for connecting said power-transmitting means with one end of said spring to tension said spring, other means movable along the axis ot said spring for connecting said power-transmitting means with the other end of said spring to receive the stored power, and means located within said spring and controlled by its change in shape under different degrees ot tension for automatically making and breaking said first mentioned connection according as the spring tension falls below or reaches a predetermined maximum,

17. In apparatus ot' the class described, the combination with a helical spring tor storing power, of power-transmitting means located at one end of said spring, a clutch member connected with one end of said spring and movable between a position in which it locks said spring` under tension and a position in which it connects said spring to said power-transmitting means to deliver the stored power thereto, and a second clutch member connected with the other end ot said spring and adapted to be moved into and out ot clutching relation to said powertransmitting means, each ot said clutch members being movable along the axis of said spring and said power-transmitting means being normally disconnected from said spring.

18. In apparatus of the class described, a cylindrical casing, a helical spring for storing power confined within said casing, powertransmitting means at one end ot said casing, said means being normally disconnected from said spring, clutches movable along the axis of said spring :t'or connectingsaid powentransmitting .means with one end of said spring to tension said spring, and for connecting said means with the other end oiI said spring to receive the stored power therefrom, and means within said casing and operated by a chanoie in shape ot said spring under changes in tension for automatically effecting the movement of one ot said clutches.

19. In apparatus of the class described, a helical springv for storing power, power transmitting means located at one end of said spring and separate clutches also located at said end of said spring for connecting said power-transmitting means to one end oli said spring to tension said spring, and to the other end ot said spring for receiving stored power therefrom, and means controlled by changes in the diameter ot the spring coil due to the changes in tension for automatically operating one of said clutches.

20, In apparatus of the class described, a helical spring for storing power, normally freely rotatable power transmission means at one end ot said spring, separate clutches movable along theaxis of said spring into and out ot' engagement with said power transmitting means for connecting said means to said spring to tension'said spring and to receive the stored power therefrom, and means cooperating with one of said clutches, when said clutch is out of operative relation to said power-transmitting means, for holding said spring under tension.

2l. In apparatus of' the class described, a cylindrical casing, a helical spring for storing power confined within said casing, bearing supports between which said spring is located, locks for holding said spring in tcnsioned condition, means, having bearings in said supports, for tensioning' said spring and for delivering the stored power et said spring, a power 'transmitting member in one end of said casing normally disconnected from said means, and clutches tor effecting independent connections ot said powertransmitting memberv and said means for the purposes aforementioned.

2.2. In apparatus of the class described, a cylindrical casing, a helical spring for storing power confined within said casing, power transmitting means at one end ot said casing, clutches movable along the axis oip4 said spring tor connecting said power ransmitting means with one end of said spring to tension said spring and for connecting said means with the other end of said spring to receive the stored power therefrom, and means coaxial with and movable along the aXis of said power transmittingmeans for effecting the movement of said clutches.

23. In apparatus of the class described, a cylindrical casing, a helical spring for storing power confined within said casing,

llO

power-transmitting means at one end of said casing, clutches movable along the axis of said spring for connecting said powertransmitting means with one end of said spring to tension said spring and for connecting said means with the other end of said spring to receive the stored power therefrom, and means coaxial with and movable along the axis of said power-transmitting means for effecting the movement of.said clutches, one of said clutch moving means being arranged for manual operation from the outside of said casing and the other being automatically operated from the inside of said casing.

24. In a power storing mechanism, a shaft, a power storing spring surrounding said shaft, a rotatable member for winding said spring, a clutch between said spring and said rotatable member, means for controlling said clutch, said means mounted on said shaft and sliding transversely thereof as said spring expands or contracts, and connections between said means and said clutch whereby the clutch is operated to connect the spring and rotatable member when the spring is unwound and to disconnect the spring and rotatable member when the spring is fully wound.

25. In a spring starting device, the combination with a helical spring, of means connected to one end of said spring for tensioning the same, and means connected to the other end of said spring for receiving power from the spring, said spring when in untensioned condition being tapered toward its tension receiving end.

26. In a spring starting device, the combination with a helical spring, of means connected to one end of said spring for tensioning the same, and mean's connected to the other end of said spring for receiving power from the spring, said spring when in normal tensioned condition having its sides substantially parallel but built to have a taper toward its tension receiving end when in untensioned condition.

27. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of manual means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same, means to connect the motor to the other end of said spring to rewind the spring and means rendered effective when said manual means is operated for preventing the rewinding connections from becoming effective while said spring is delivering power to the motor.

28. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same, spring actuated means tending to connect said motor and the other end of said spring to rewind the same under the action of the motor, means controlled by the unwinding of the power spring for permitting said spring actuated means to act, and means for preventing said action while the other end of the power spring is connected to said motor to deliver power to the same.

29. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same, spring actuated means tending to connect said motor and the other end of said spring to rewind the same under the action of the motor, controllers moved by said power spring as the same approaches tensioned condition for disconnecting said motor and power spring, thereby tensioning said spring actuated means, said controllers releasing said spring actuated means as said power spring loses tension.

30. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same, spring actuated means tending to connect said motor and the other end of said spring to rewind the same under the action of the motor, controllers moved by said power spring as the same approaches tensioned condition for disconnecting said mol tor and power spring, thereby tensioning said spring actuated means, said controllers releasing said spring actuated means as said power spring loses tension, and means preventing the connecting up of said power spring and motor by said spring actuated means, though released, while the other end of the power spring is connected to the motor to deliver power thereto.

31. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a power spring for delivering power to the motor, of means for connecting one end of said spring to said motor to start the same, a winding clutch between the other end of said spring and motor whereby said motor may rewind said spring, said clutch being normally open when the other end of said spring is connected to said motor, means controlled by the power spring as it loses tension tending to close said clutch, and means for preventing the closing of said clutch while the driving end of said spring is connected to said motor.

32. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a power spring for delivering power to the motor, clutching means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same, manual means for moving said clutching means to operative position,

a second clutching means to connect said motor to the other end of said spring to rewind the same, spring actuated means controlled from said power spring as the same is unwound for acting on said rewinding clutching means', and means operated by said manual means for positively acting on said rewinding clutching means to hold the same in unclutched position against the 'ac tion of said spring actuated means.

33. In a spring starting device Jfor an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of manual means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same', spring actuated .means tending to connect said motor and the other end of said spring to rewind the same under the action of the motor, means controlled by 20 the rewinding of the power spring for permitting said spring actuated means to act and means controlled by said manual means for preventing said action when the other end of the power spring is connected to'said motor to deliver power to the same.

34. In a spring starting device for an internal combustion motor, the combination with a helical spring for delivering power to the motor, of manual means for connecting one end of said spring to the motor to start the same and means brought into action as the motor starts to disconnect the spring and motor.

Signed at Kings county, New'York, this l 20th day of July 1918.

FAIRBANK BARNES STOCKDALE. HOBART ARTHUR SIMPSON. Witnesses:

FRED W. STACEY, ALICE MUNKs. 

